Sofia Crowley, whose play and demeanor gives no indication of her freshman status, received all of it with big smiles as the Cavemen advance to the 6A state semifinal round where they’ll take on rival Lone Peak at Zions Bank Stadium.

“Sofia is just incredible and she’s saved us so much this year,” said American Fork senior striker Cambree Ballard, who had a big game in her own right. “This is a high-pressure game and for her, being able to step up and save those PKs — that’s big time.”

While the official stat sheet will only record one PK save for American Fork’s freshman goalkeeper, she actually made two.

With the Cavemen hanging onto a 2-0 lead with time winding down, the Chargers were granted a PK opportunity during the match’s 75th minute. But rather than concede the goal, Crowley stepped up and blocked the attempt only to have the save discounted due to official determination that she came off of the line just prior to the attempt, causing a do over. Then, in almost the same form as shown before, Crowley dove to her left side to knock away the attempt to all but put the game on ice.

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

“It’s so hard to get that save called back, but she stayed with it and made another great save. So I couldn’t be more proud of her and it’s honestly amazing that she was able to do it,” said American Fork coach Tara Warner. “She’s stepped up so big for us this year, and it wasn’t just this game and it wasn’t just those two saves on the PKs. She made several big stops for us today, but that’s what she does. She’s done it all year. She doesn’t have the best size for a goalkeeper, but she makes up for it and then some with her amazing feel and ability to read the ball. She’s absolutely amazing.”

As mentioned, Ballard herself stepped up big for the Cavemen and logged both of her team’s goals, scoring on a free kick midway through the second half and then on a breakaway situation during the game’s 72nd minute. Her first goal came from about 25 yards out and was struck perfectly while landing in a spot that made it all but impossible to save.

“I’ve practiced that shot a lot, so to get it in a game like this felt amazing,” Ballard said. “And I honestly don’t really even remember my second goal. I just know I was able to break free and then chip it over the keeper.”

Ballard’s play during the win was fairly typical given how productive she’s proved this season and throughout most of her career as one of the Cavemen’s senior leaders.

“She’s really helped keep us composed on top and to keep possession, and that was big for us today in this type of game,” Warner said. “This is when we need our top players to step up big, and Cambree definitely did that today.”

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

Warner’s entire team stepped up big during the game’s final 40 minutes, as it were. Following a first half when Corner Canyon controlled most of the momentum and forged the better goal-scoring opportunities, American Fork managed to flip the script considerably from the outset of the second half.

“Our coaches just told us to take a deep breath and quit playing so frantic,” Ballard said. “We were letting the pressure get to us, but then in the second half we realized better that pressure is a privilege and we just killed it. We really took it to them.”

With the win American Fork advances to the semifinal round for the first time since 2023 when it advanced to the state championship match before falling to Lone Peak. The goal is the flip the script this time on the Knights during the semifinal round in hopes of achieving the ultimate goal of a state championship.

“It’s really overwhelming and exciting to have made it this far,” Warner concluded. “But we worked for it and we earned it. I’m so proud of the girls and all the work they’ve put in. It all paid off today and hopefully all the work we put in can take us even farther.”

Cambree Ballard is all smiles after scoring her second goal during her team's 2-0 win over Corner Canyon in 6A quarterfinal action. October 15, 2026

American Fork's Sophie Judd looks for crossers to pass to during her team's 2-0 quarterfinal win over Corner Canyon. October 15, 2026

American Fork celebrates Cambree Ballard's first goal during its 2-0 quarterfinal win over Corner Canyon. October 15, 2026

American Fork's Cambree Ballard looks to get past a Corner Canyon defender during her team's 2-0 win on Thursday. October 15, 2026

American Fork's Charlotte Anderson advances the ball upfield during her team's 2-0 quarterfinal win over Corner Canyon. October 15, 2026

American Fork's Suri Parsia fights for possession during her team's 2-0 quarterfinal win over Corner Canyon. October 15, 2026